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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s reported “no gifts” wedding rule is reviving a familiar debate: When a couple asks guests to bring nothing, should they listen?
According to San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, Swift and Kelce have been clear with guests about their preference: “Absolutely no gifts,” Kittle told Extra while discussing the couple’s upcoming wedding at the Tight Ends & Friends concert in Nashville.
Still, Kittle admitted he might bend the rule, joking that he was considering an old coin for Kelce because the Chiefs star likes to collect them.
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For guests worried about arriving empty-handed, California-based etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts says weddings should not necessitate gifts.
“Regardless of a couple’s financial status, a wedding should never feel like a financial transaction,” Grotts, who founded the company Golden Rules Gal, told Fox News Digital.
“This isn’t like arriving at a dinner party empty-handed without a hostess gift. If a couple says, ‘no gifts, please,’ honor their wishes.”
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Wedding etiquette experts say requests for no gifts can raise questions about whether guests should still bring a card, cash or make a charitable donation.
Florida-based etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore said the couple’s friends should view the request as a welcome change.
“The couple is taking the pressure off their guests,” Whitmore told Fox News Digital. “Something tells me Taylor and Travis don’t need another toaster.”
In the past, gifts traditionally helped newlyweds set up a home together, but many of today’s couples don’t need help filling a registry. In Zola’s 2025 First Look Report, 92% of couples said they were already living together before their weddings.
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When Swift’s close friend Selena Gomez married Benny Blanco in September 2025, they also asked guests to forgo traditional gifts.
Instead, the couple suggested that loved ones donate to the Rare Impact Fund, Gomez’s charity organization that increases access to mental health resources, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“Whether a couple has extraordinary wealth or modest means, gifts should never be viewed as a way to turn a profit,” added Grotts.
“A charitable donation made in their honor is a thoughtful alternative, especially if it’s directed to a cause they publicly support.”
Texas etiquette expert Diane Gottsman agreed, saying guests who still want to give something could send a donation in the couple’s honor.
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A Reddit discussion on the no-gift debate captured the divide.
Some said a heartfelt card is enough, while others suggested a charitable donation. Another group argued that cash is appropriate. Others insisted guests should give nothing if asked to skip gifts.
“I think a thoughtful card and a donation in their name is perfect — there are so many awesome nonprofits out there,” one Reddit user said.
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Another said, “A lot of people, especially if they are getting married in their late 30s and up, already have a pretty established furniture [and] homeware setup and don’t need or want more because it’s wasteful.”
“I like the idea of a donation if you are able to swing it,” a third Reddit user chimed in.
Elaine Swann, author of “Elaine Swann’s Book of Modern Etiquette,” has a different perspective. She said guests should be thoughtful about any charitable donation made in Swift’s and Kelce’s names.
“As public figures, both of these individuals’ images and brands are very curated, and whom they associate themselves with typically goes through a very fine-tuned selection process,” cautioned Swann, who is based in San Diego.
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Above all, Grotts said couples should never plan on a windfall.
“Gifts — including cash — should always be voluntary expressions of love and support, not reimbursement for the reception,” she added. “Good etiquette begins with generosity and gratitude, never expectation.”
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